Campus Journal

State Budget Letter from President Mark Huddleston

April 14, 2010

Dear Colleagues,

In light of recent news reports about the state budget and pending cuts, I wanted to be sure you have all of the facts.

Yes, the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) has agreed to return $25 million from its operating funds to the state on or before June 30, 2010. That payment will only be made if the state passes legislation amending its capital budget for Fiscal Years (FY) 10/11 to include an additional $25 million for USNH deferred maintenance and other education and general capital costs. The state will distribute this $25 million in capital funds to USNH by the end of June and USNH will use the funds for capital costs incurred in FY10, FY11, and FY12. If no additional capital appropriation is approved, the USNH is under no obligation to make the payment.

This win-win solution negotiated between the board of trustees and the governor’s office commits the state to an additional $25 million in capital support for the system and prevents students from bearing the costs of additional tuition rate increases directly related to deferred maintenance.

The details of the program are still being worked out, including the specific implications for the FY 2010 UNH operating budget and budget planning for FY 2011. Due to uncertainty about the state budget, the financial affairs committee of the board of trustees deferred discussion of salary increase guidelines for FY 2010 and budget guidelines for FY 2011 when it met in April. We expect those topics will now be discussed later this spring by the financial affairs committee.

I will continue to keep you updated on our budget. Meanwhile, as always, thank you for your dedication to UNH and our shared work and mission.